Opinion

Cook’s Top 5: 1993 Wrestling Memories

Steve Cook’s look back at his years as a wrestling fan hits 1993, with his Top 5 memories!

Published

5 years ago

May 31, 2020

Steve Cook

The Hollywood Blondes WCW Brian Pillman Steve Austin

Steve Cook’s look back at his years as a wrestling fan hits 1993, with his Top 5 memories!

Hi, hello & welcome to my continuing celebration of thirty years as a wrestling fan! We’re up to 1993 now, which isn’t exactly a year that most old school wrestling fans will hold in regard. Nobody was doing killer business. I didn’t care about business as a nine year old. I wasn’t worried about ratings or demos. I was just looking for entertaining stuff.

This is what I found in 1993.

5. The Lex Express

I think the “Made In The USA” Lex Luger push could have worked. WWF really wanted him to be the next Hulk Hogan. He had the tools. Good physique. Solid in the ring. Good body. Had Lex been pushed at the right time as a hero it could have worked.

There were a couple of things working against it. For one thing, he had been pushed as a Narcissist, and we were given no time for a transition. There was no hint Lex would turn good until July 4th. Nothing on TV, not even any subtle hints. We were expected to accept this right away. Kinda awkward. Then he got the big win at SummerSlam…by countout! And people celebrated like he had done something, though we all know that the title didn’t change hands via countout. So awkward.

4. The Power Bomb Heard Around The World

Cactus Jack & Vader had already had a badass match on WCW Main Event, where Cactus got a countout victory. They took it to WCW Saturday Night on April 24, and things got kicked up a notch. Vader & Harley Race decided they needed to power bomb Cactus on concrete, and everybody involved in the situation acted like it was a big deal. Not to sound like Jim Cornette, but when everybody involved acts like it was a big deal, people treat it like a big deal. So Cactus getting power bombed on concrete and everybody breaking character, including Jesse Ventura riding in the ambulance with Cactus, made it seem like a big deal.

Then we had the “Lost in Cleveland” segments with Cactus having amnesia, which weren’t so great. But the beginning of the angle was fantastic.

3. A Brush With Greatness

I was always a Flyin’ Brian supporter. Even after he turned heel, he was still a former Cincinnati Bengal and from the area, so I was inclined to buy whatever he was selling. I saw some talent in Steve Austin previously, but once he was teaming with Brian I was 100% on board. The Hollywood Blondes were one of my favorite tag teams for the relatively brief time they existed as a tag team. Pillman & Austin had great chemistry together.

Once the Blondes got over together, WCW needed to break them up. Bad times. Steve Austin wasn’t big on the pairing at the beginning, but he eventually figured out that he & Pillman were a good team. It didn’t last long once certain people realized it was getting over. A shame on some level, but it was part of that Stone Cold story, so it might have been for the best in the long run. Austin didn’t want the tag team when he was pitched it, but it ended up being the best thing that could have happened to him. It’s just a shame that Austin & Pillman weren’t able to fully capitalize on it in the WWF due to Pillman’s limitations at that point. As somebody that loved the Blondes, I would have been on board with that feud.

2. Yokozuna & Vader Dominate As Champions

When I think of 1993, I think of the two heavyweight champions that reigned supreme over their companies for most of the year. Looking back at each man’s career, 1993 was their peak as box office attractions in North America.

Big Van Vader dropped the first two names and simply became Vader in 1993. With the exception of a week in Europe (which actually was mentioned on television), he held the WCW World Championship from the beginning of 1993 until Starrcade, where he lost it to Ric Flair in a Title vs. Career match. In between, he was downright unstoppable. Just a complete force of nature. He had the size, he had the power, and he could do a freaking moonsault! You had to be on your A+ game to have a shot at beating Vader in 1993.

Over in the WWF, we had Yokozuna. A monster of a man that won a Royal Rumble via the most hilarious ending to a Royal Rumble I’ve ever seen. Listen to me lose my shit when I finally see the match twenty years later. Simply amazing. Nevertheless, Yoko went on to WrestleMania, beat Bret Hart, then lost to Hulk Hogan because Mr. Fuji was an idiot and booked a match right after Yoko won the title. Yoko killed Hulkamania at the King of the Ring (never came back) and kicked ass the rest of the year. He had his weight at a good level in 1993 where he could still do some things and not look completely immobile. That happened in later years. As a youngster in 1993, he looked unbeatable, as did Vader.

1. THE SHOCKMASTER!

Whenever WCW had a Clash of the Champions, it was must see television for me. If I wasn’t home I would make sure to set the VCR for that show. I was home for this one, and I got to see the debut of one of WCW’s…honestly, I have no proper phrase to describe this gentleman. There’s a lot of things going on here, so it deserves a series of points.

-This was Sting & Davey Boy Smith’s ace in the hole for the upcoming War Games match at Fall Brawl.

-We were expected to believe it was going to be a big deal.

-It was Fred Ottman. No disrespect to Uncle Fred, who seems like an awesome guy based off his appearance on the Dino Bravo episode of Dark Side of the Ring After Dark. Gotta say it though…he was never going to be a true main eventer in any promotion that wanted to be national.

-The Shockmaster gimmick may have had some potential with the right person doing it.

-Then again, maybe not. It was a big dude wearing a bedazzled Stormtrooper mask & a sleeveless vest. There was probably a limited shelf-life even in the best case scenario.

-In any event, dude fell out of a hole in a wall and his mask fell off, and most of the people on stage lost their minds.

-“HE FELL ON HIS FOOKIN ARSE” – Davey Boy Smith

-Sid really tried to put that over. God bless him for that. That man tried to make all of this nonsense work. It was a lost cause, but like most Southerners with lost causes, that didn’t stop Sid.

-WCW had a lot of bad segments, as every wrestling promotion has. But does anything get worse than this? You’re introducing a character that you want to be on the main event level, but one second into the debut it’s a shitshow. There’s no recovering from that first impression. Shockmaster was always going to be a joke to the fans no matter how much WCW tried to push it afterwards. Dead On Arrival.

But hey, we’re still talking about it in 2020. So there’s that.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Is Charlotte Flair The Greatest Of All Time?

Don't Miss

Tiffany’s AEW Take: No, AEW Didn’t Bury the Heels at Double or Nothing

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY – POD is WAR (Los Tres Friends)

FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Listen on your favorite platform!

iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1